Aussies draft in pace duo

Australia are considering changes to their pace attack for this week's second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Last Updated: 29/11/10 5:36pm

Australia are considering changes to their pace attack for this week's second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

After skipper Ricky Ponting admitted that Australia didn't do Peter Siddle's six-wicket haul in England's first innings at the Gabba justice, the selectors reacted by adding fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger to the XI who played in Brisbane.

Both those seamers were in the initial squad for the Gabba but Harris' chronic knee injury meant he was not ultimately available for selection, and left-armer Bollinger lost out to Siddle.

The latter took a career-best six for 54, including a hat-trick but Mitchell Johnson did not do himself justice, finishing with match figures of none for 170 - as well as dropping a catch and making a duck - in a high-scoring stalemate.

After skittling England for 260 on day one thanks largely to Siddle, the home side replied with an impressive 481 all out on a batsmen-friendly Gabba pitch, but gradually lost their upper hand across Sunday and Monday.

A 188-run opening stand between Andrew Strauss and an unbeaten 329-run second-wicket partnership by Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott took the game away from the Aussies entirely.

And Ponting, who made an unbeaten half-century as the game petered out, admitted he could look to shake up his pace attack after England ran riot with the bat.

Not on form

"We probably haven't played our best the last couple of days of the game," he acknowledged. "The wicket did change dramatically and the last three days of the game have been dominated by the bat.

"We just weren't able to mount any pressure on them. They played very well and you have got to give them credit.

"We're taking 11 players from here to Adelaide, with Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris to be added to the squad.

"It was a very flat pitch to bowl on over the last few days, but no doubt that we've got a lot of improvement to do with our bowling group.

"I don't think any of our bowlers were at their best.

"With the inclusion of those guys in the squad, we have to work out which is the best make-up to take 20 wickets in Adelaide - regardless of workload up here.

"I don't think anyone's certain. We'll have to see how everyone pulls up and decide on our best attack after that."

Praise for Harris

Ponting refused to reveal his preference over the possible bowling attack in Adelaide, but was quick to praise the attributes of fit-again Harris.

"We understand that (Harris) is getting through the Shield game very well," he continued. "The understanding is that he's fine to be considered.

"We like that he came into international cricket and had immediate success. He's a great competitor, he runs in all day for you.

"He's the kind of guy that's going to bowl the right length in Adelaide's conditions - he bangs the ball in which you have to do down there to have success. And if it happens to reverse swing, he's very good at that.

"There's lots of things to like about Ryan Harris. The fact that he's had great success at international cricket means that he's one of those guys that's just meant to be playing."

With a stalemate looming in Brisbane, Australia's token second innings in the wake of England's declaration at 517 for one afforded Ponting some valuable time at the crease. While Simon Katich fell cheaply, Ponting and Shane Watson finished unbeaten on 51 and 41 respectively before time was called.

"I obviously wanted to get some time in the middle. It finished the game on a good note," he concluded.